Update. There is now a much easier way. Follow this link:

It is now easy to run mvpmc on MediaMVP from Windows. Part II
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=773490




..........................................


Original message:

Don't panic. There's many steps because they're all baby steps.

(These instructions include installing SlimServer. Skip that part if you don't want it)

1> Download and install Hauppauge's original software (Direct link):
ftp://ftp.shspvr.com/download/mediamvp/mediamvp_2.5.23242.exe

2> Download mvpmc version 2.1 (Direct link):
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/mvpmc/dongle.bin.mvpmc-0.2.1?download

3> Rename the Hauppauges original dongle.bin to something else (e.g. dongle.binOUT)

4> Rename the mvpmc bin to dongle.bin and put it in the Hauppauge directory beside the old dongle.binOUT (the one you renamed)

5> Unplug/Plug-back-in your MediaMVP (hardware)

6> Let mvpmc load up. When its done your TV screen will go completely black (that's a good thing)

7> Click on the windows 'Start' button and go to 'Run...'

8> In the run box type telnet then click 'Ok'

9> Find out what IP your router assigned to your MediaMVP by looking in the router settings. (In my linksys router the path is Status/Lan/DHCP Clients Table)

10> [continuing from step 8] At the 'Microsoft Telnet>' prompt type o <the ip found in step 9>* then <press the enter key>

*do not type '<' or '>' or '*' charactors

11> At the 'login:' prompt type root then <press the enter key>

12> At the Linux! '#' prompt type mvpmc then <press the enter key>

mvpmc will load up on your MediaMVP and up will come the GUI/Menu (yay)

13> Download and install SlimServer
http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html

14> Run SlimServer icon. The interface runs in a browser window.

short discussion:
mvpmc (software) runs on your MediaMVP (hardware)
SlimServer (software) runs on your PC (hardware)

But to get SlimServer to talk to mvpmc you have to run 'mclient' (stands for 'music client', it is a software plugin) from mvpmc (software). After 'mclient' is running, SlimServer will talk to 'mclient'.

Setting up mclient:
15> From the mvpmc menu go to settings/music client/SlimServer IP Address

16> type in the IP that the router assigned to you PC (see step 9 for more info)

17> After you are done push the 'Back/Exit' button on the MediaMVP's remote to get back to the main menu.

18> From the main menu select 'Music Client'

19> Go back to the SlimServer running in your browser and start exploring the options.


Note: after Step 17, I fiddled around to get things working. When I figure out precisely what I did, I'll update the instructions.

Note2: I have not figured out how to use the RTV client yet, but SlimServer works. If anyone figures out the RTV client part let me know.


Edit: Yo, MethodMachine. tell me of some of the better plugins, GUI Front Ends, etc that you've found to work well.

Might

need this space.

Might sell or trade this space. Make an offer.

If you are interested in selling your space nded, I am a broker.
I can help you get top dollar for your Post space and I'll even discount my fee.

;)

Marcus

Yo Marcus. Give me newbie slimserver tips. And now to you make mvpmc a thin client for an rtv?

gimme gimme.

Besides the standard web-based slimserver control panel, are there any other worthwhile GUI frontends??

I don't want to install the gazillion plugins/extras and try them one at a time..

So I suppose this method serves out the mvpmc boot image by using the supplied Hauppage server software. I am curious to know if you can also use a .config file to automatically start the mvpmc application using the proper configuration that you want. For example, I use the following dongle.bin.mvpmc.config file:


#sync MediaMVPs time with time.nist.gov (192.43.244.18)
rdate -s 192.43.244.18
#mount a NFS fileshare (music file storage)
mkdir /_MyMusic/
mount -t nfs -o nolock,rsize=4096,wsize=4096,nfsvers=3 172.16.1.36:/mnt/fat32_data/MyMusic/ /_MyMusic/
#mount a NFS fileshare (miscellaneous video/image files)
mkdir /_DVA
mount -t nfs -o nolock,rsize=4096,wsize=4096,nfsvers=3 172.16.1.36:/home/dva/ /_DVA/
#Startup mvpmc application
mvpmc -S 300 -f /etc/helvB18.pcf -R "ip=discover chunksz=3" -t /usr/share/mvpmc/replaytv.xml -c 172.16.1.36 --startup mclient


In the example above,

-S 300 --> set screensaver active after 300 seconds

-f /etc/helvB18.pcf --> use helvetica 18 point font (more readable on my 26" TV)

-R "ip=discover chunksz=3" --> Activate ReplayTV client, use auto ip discovery for Replay units and DVArchive boxes, chunksz=3 to tune smoothness of video streaming playback

-t /usr/share/mvpmc/replaytv.xml --> use the "ReplayTV" theme for the mvpmc application (best looking one IMHO)

-c 172.16.1.36 --> set the IP address of the SlimServer box

--startup mclient --> startup the mclient app by default (useful if running the unit headless while connected to an amplifier/stereo).

Yo, MethodMachine. tell me of some of the better plugins, GUI Front Ends, etc that you've found to work well.

Cool plugins for SlimServer:

SlimScrobbler (http://slimscrobbler.sourceforge.net/)

iTunes/Last.FM/misc. plugins for SlimServer (http://www.jamescraig.co.uk/SlimServer)

icecow,

Thanks for your simple instructions for get the MediaMVP works with RTV.

For step 9, an alternate way to look up the MVP ip address is to view the c:\progra~1\hauppa~1\hardware\hcwsmslog.

Step 12 can split into 2 steps:

12.1 rdate -s 192.43.244.18
12.2 mvpmc -R "ip=discover" -t /usr/share/mvpmc/replaytv.xml &

I wonder if someone understands what settings.dat from the log file and maybe .config file can be use with it.

Dan L.


PS: the file hcwsmslog looks like this:

Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005::0::Haup MediaMVP Streaming Media Server Started
Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->smssrv_main: retrieving Registration Server Configuration...
Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->DSSRV: No config file D:\PROGRA~1\HAUPPA~1\Hardware\settings.dat, default used

Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->smssrv_main: starting Dongle Netloader...
Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->smssrv_main: starting Dongle Steaming service...
Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->smssrv_main: starting Dongle Regsvc...
Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->no history db

Tue Sep 20 12:36:53 2005->Regsvc: listen on ifc: 192.168.1.100 port[16881] and port[16867]
Tue Sep 20 12:36:54 2005->sshtp started...@rootdir[/]

Tue Sep 20 12:36:54 2005->Regsvc: listen on all interfaces...
Tue Sep 20 12:36:54 2005->smssrv_main: entering Dongle Regsvc...
Tue Sep 20 12:38:00 2005-> svc_haupid-> dongle mac: 00:0D:FE:00:1B:50
Tue Sep 20 12:38:00 2005->arp_add: error code: 0

Tue Sep 20 12:38:08 2005->00:0D:FE:00:1B:50 "svc_haupid":: sent reply to 192.168.1.119:16868
Tue Sep 20 12:38:20 2005->(netloader): started handler, wait for next...
Tue Sep 20 12:38:25 2005->192.168.1.119: read request for D:\PROGRA~1\HAUPPA~1\Hardware\\dongle.bin: success

Tue Sep 20 12:38:46 2005->00:0D:FE:00:1B:50 svc_sreg-> srv@(192.168.1.100) -
Tue Sep 20 12:38:46 2005->00:0D:FE:00:1B:50 svc_sreg-> recv bcast msg from 192.168.1.119
Tue Sep 20 12:38:46 2005->00:0D:FE:00:1B:50 svc_sreg-> recv bcast regreq from (00:0D:FE:00:1B:50)@(192.168.1.119:2048) --
Tue Sep 20 12:38:47 2005->00:0D:FE:00:1B:50 svc_sreg-> claimed: 192.168.1.119
Tue Sep 20 12:38:47 2005->00:0D:FE:00:1B:50 svc_sreg-> sent reply to 192.168.1.119:16882
Tue Sep 20 12:38:47 2005->sshtp: accepted connection from: ip<192.168.1.119>/port<2048> @socket[1844]

icecow, thank you for the great instructions -- let the MediaMVP software handle the bootd request for dongle.bin.

I have a few followup questions:
- Can I run an tftp-server on the same box as the MediaMVP software, to serve up the corrisponding dongle.bin.config?
- Does the tftp-server have to run on the DHCP server?
- Do you know what this "settings.dat" file can be used for?

As of now, I've got a tftpd running, and from a telnet session connected to the MVPMC, I can tftp the file from my winxp box by using:
tftp -g -l /etc/dongle.config -r dongle.bin.config 192.168.2.4
My udhcpc.config looks like so:
# cat udhcpc.config
DONGLE=
SERVER=192.168.2.1
IP=192.168.2.22
HNAME=
Which makes we wonder if the line in /etc/rcS will fail since DONGLE is blank:
tftp -g -l /etc/dongle.config -r ${DONGLE}.config ${SERVER}
What do you think?

As of now all-is-good except for having to manually run the following lines every time I cold-boot the mediamvp:
TZ=PST+8PDT,M4.1.0/2,M10.5.0/2; export TZ;
echo "TZ=PST+8PDT,M4.1.0/2,M10.5.0/2; export TZ" > /etc/shell.config;
rdate -s 192.43.244.18;
mvpmc -R "ip=192.168.2.13 chunksz=3" -t /usr/share/mvpmc/replaytv.xml &
Many thanks,
-dnastrain

- Can I run an TFTP-server on the same box as the MediaMVP software, to serve up the corrisponding dongle.bin.config or does the TFTP-server have to run on the DHCP server?
- Do you know what this "settings.dat" file can be used for?

I think the original questions are what interest me most, since my Router acts as DHCP server, and the MediaMVP software runs on a separate computer.

The TFTP server that I installed works, but the MVP doesn't seem to call to it since it isn't at the same IP-Address as the DHCP server.

Any way to work around this short-of recompiling a custom dongle.bin?

Thanks,
-dnastrain

Sorry Icecow. I've not been around for a couple of weeks.
What info do you need to get the system up and running?

Slim server? Just ran the web interface that comes with slim server and it worked out fine. Sometimes it's a bit freaky but only when trying to do wierd stuff and syncing mulptiple MVPs to the same audio stream.

I did not do any of the fancy plugin's either. However the pod cast option was sweet.

Are you still having issues getting the MVP to be your replay thin client?

Yo Marcus. Give me newbie slimserver tips. And now to you make mvpmc a thin client for an rtv?

gimme gimme.

Besides the standard web-based slimserver control panel, are there any other worthwhile GUI frontends??

I don't want to install the gazillion plugins/extras and try them one at a time..

It should be even easier now using changes I put into mvpmc a couple of weeks ago, no dhcp router changes, no tftp and no telnet should be needed. It should even discover replaytv although I was unable to confirm this because I and my other beta testers don't use it. If anyone does try it I'd like to know one way or the other.

There are no nightly builds right now but I've put a reasonably up-to-date dongle.bin which can directly replace Hauppauge's if you want to try it. Amazingly, the forum rules won't let me type the base address but it is close to

mvallevand googlepages com

Martin

http://mvallevand.googlepages.com/

It should be even easier now using changes I put into mvpmc a couple of weeks ago, no dhcp router changes, no tftp and no telnet should be needed. It should even discover replaytv although I was unable to confirm this because I and my other beta testers don't use it. If anyone does try it I'd like to know one way or the other.

I tried this and met with mixed success.

-The software did install sucessfully on my MVP
-The ReplayTV units were not detected automatically
-The file system that was shown was a linux, not windows, so I could not navigate to my DVArchive file to play them.

Any ideas on how to correct these issues?

I tried this and met with mixed success.

-The software did install sucessfully on my MVP
-The ReplayTV units were not detected automatically
-The file system that was shown was a linux, not windows, so I could not navigate to my DVArchive file to play them.

Any ideas on how to correct these issues?

I experienced the same results. I could not verify the session time is in sync with the ReplayTV which possible caused no device to be listed after the discovery process.

Is it possible to add the real time of the session on the "About" screen since it only display the IP address and the built time of the dongle.

Thanks.

I tried this and met with mixed success.
-The software did install sucessfully on my MVP

Good, that means the logic is sound and you should be able to things like stream internet radio, and run slimserver with very little configuration


-The ReplayTV units were not detected automatically

I don't know enough about replaytv. Based on the howto I'm don't make any provision for 4k mode. Could that the problem?


-The file system that was shown was a linux, not windows, so I could not navigate to my DVArchive file to play them.

Well the mvpmc is a linux box, but you should be able to access a windows share. You can set this up in the web interface to the mvpmc.

Martin

I experienced the same results. I could not verify the session time is in sync with the ReplayTV which possible caused no device to be listed after the discovery process.

Is it possible to add the real time of the session on the "About" screen since it only display the IP address and the built time of the dongle.

Thanks.

The default in mvpmc may not match your timezone, it doesn't match mine. However the web interface to mvpmc does display the time on the box as well as giving you an option to set the time zone, the time server and change the time. Just point your browser to the ip address in the about box. The stupid forum rules won't even let me type
h, t, t, p so I can't make this clearer.

Martin

The default in mvpmc may not match your timezone, it doesn't match mine. However the web interface to mvpmc does display the time on the box as well as giving you an option to set the time zone, the time server and change the time. Just point your browser to the ip address in the about box. The stupid forum rules won't even let me type
h, t, t, p so I can't make this clearer.

Martin

Mvallevand,

I still can't change the time via the web interface. Can you give me more detail information to put in the web config for the west coast Pacific Time? Thanks.

Dan L.

PS. System status keeps showing this time-

System Time Wed Dec 31 18:01:16 1969
//(null)

I still can't change the time via the web interface. Can you give me more detail information to put in the web config for the west coast Pacific Time? Thanks.

Dan L.

PS. System status keeps showing this time-

System Time Wed Dec 31 18:01:16 1969
//(null)

Off the top of my head try a timezone of PST5PDT and then your favourite time server ie. time.nist.gov

I suggest clicking update first to save it and then the set time button.

the //null is just the default folder in the filebrowser that you can set up in the browser too. I'll clean this up in a later release.

Martin

Ha ha...I didn't even know here was a web interface. I got the time set but still no ReplayTV devices. After I found the web interface (with mvallevand's help) I started reading the how to files. Wow, this is anything but simple. I'm usually pretty good at following instruction (even if I don't understand the concept) but, these expected a certain base of knowledge I just don't have. I didn't understand much of what was said in the howto files and the time it would take to learn is not worth the benefit I would reap. I did like the SlimServer, but that was the only thing I had working. Thanks for the help.

Wow, this is anything but simple. I'm usually pretty good at following instruction (even if I don't understand the concept) but, these expected a certain base of knowledge I just don't have. I didn't understand much of what was said in the howto files and the time it would take to learn is not worth the benefit I would reap. I did like the SlimServer, but that was the only thing I had working. Thanks for the help.

1. I'm surprised internet radio playing didn't work from the file browser. The main reason I got involved in this project was because several users (including me) wanted to have direct internet radio without the server needed by Hauppauge. During some alpha testing no one mentionned a problem with this.

2. I'm guessing here but if the discovery process is time-of-day sensitive the MediaMVP might need to be powered off/on by the remote (not unplugged!) to have the replaytv rediscover devices. If anyone here has success with a 5k box I can make an option for 4k users.

3. I agree about the documentation but then the MediaMVP performs a lot of unique but different functions, few users will use them all. The number of volunteers for improving the documentation has been limited, (the documentation I wrote on my page was really only meant for my alpha testers), but in a timely message someone on the mvpmc-user list is suggesting a wiki and documentation project. Time will tell.

Martin

Between this project and the GBPVR it seems that there are a lot of great features for the MediaMVP. My only real complaint about the Hauppauge software is that I can't put together a MP3 play list using the on screen display. You know, select a bunch of songs that I feel like hearing right now and hit play. Instead I have to build a playlist on MMJB and then save it then go and navigate to it and hit play.

One day someone will put together a package with all the ease of windows exe file and it will have all the features that I crave. But, since I have no programming experience I will just have to patiently wait for that day.

Keep up the good work.

Using win2k, I put 2.1 dongle.bin in the "hardware" dir and turn on the mvp. All I see is the message looking for servers and that's it. Looking at hcwsmslog I see the mvp is actually looking for dongle.bin.ver file first and it downloads this file twice from my laptop and then it says "sshtp: starting handling thread...0" and that's all in the log.

Just leaving all files as installed, the mvp works without problems (or without anything other then the expected problems/lack of functionality issues)

My question is, am I missing something else and how can I most easily troubleshoot my problem??

thanks for any help.

Harry

Using win2k, I put 2.1 dongle.bin in the "hardware" dir and turn on the mvp. All I see is the message looking for servers and that's it. Looking at hcwsmslog I see the mvp is actually looking for dongle.bin.ver file first and it downloads this file twice from my laptop and then it says "sshtp: starting handling thread...0" and that's all in the log.

Just leaving all files as installed, the mvp works without problems (or without anything other then the expected problems/lack of functionality issues)

My question is, am I missing something else and how can I most easily troubleshoot my problem??

thanks for any help.

Harry

I will address a few things here. First several people have identified problems running the new H1/H2 machines with the mvpmc. You should check out the mvpmc mailings lists for the most up-to-date information.

On a positive I did fix my problem with replaytv start up. Apparently when mvpmc is running in replaytv mode it wants to run as a web server which conflicted with my web server function, so for older mvp's, my previous instructions should actually be valid.

Thanks to those who suggested I look at DVArchive. It help me debug this.

Martin

My only real complaint about the Hauppauge software is that I can't put together a MP3 play list using the on screen display. You know, select a bunch of songs that I feel like hearing right now and hit play. Instead I have to build a playlist on MMJB and then save it then go and navigate to it and hit play.

Actually, I have some mod I grabbed years ago which does what you want. I did a little tweaking to it, but the result is that I can create a temporary playlist by adding songs or whole folders, and I can navigate back and forth through the playlist while a song is playing (i.e. I can skip to the next song or back to the previous song) and it loops at the end. The mod did a bunch of other things to, like shrink the menus so more stuff fits on the screen, and it had access to Snapstream or something like that (which I didn't use so I cut that part out.) If you search for a mod that makes the menu look like Snapstream, you'll probably find it. I've long since forgotten where I got it from.

Hmmm...in retrospect, it may have been SageTV not Snapstream...sigh...getting old...

Or just go here http://www.shspvr.com/smf/ and browse the MediaMVP forum where people are talking about (probably) the mod I used.

I will address a few things here. First several people have identified problems running the new H1/H2 machines with the mvpmc. You should check out the mvpmc mailings lists for the most up-to-date information.
Martin

I finally got the mvp to boot the new dongle.bin by using the dongle.bin.mvpmc-20060429 file. Have no idea why that one worked and not the 2.1 version, but I'm moving forward now anyway.

But more questions:
1. I didn't need to actually execute the mvpmc program after telneting to the mvp. It seemed to just "be there" running already and the gui menu popped up with the following selections:

MythTV/ReplayTV/Filesystem/Settings/About/Music Client and reboot selections. After I installed slimserver on my win2K box, the mvp played mp3s fine.

Can slimserver and NFS coexist? I'd like to be able to play video files and audio files and slide show jpegs from my win2k machine by using the mvp remote.

I recognize this is all on the "bleeding edge" and if I should just calm down and wait for things to happen, just let me know.

thanks for any help you can offer and I'm very impressed with this thing so far and I'll keep watching the lists.

Harry

1. I didn't need to actually execute the mvpmc program after telneting to the mvp. It seemed to just "be there" running already and the gui menu popped up with the following selections:
Correct that is why I said it was even easier then indicated in the original post. You don't need to telnet and you can use a web browser to configure it to your liking.


MythTV/ReplayTV/Filesystem/Settings/About/Music Client and reboot selections. After I installed slimserver on my win2K box, the mvp played mp3s fine.

Can slimserver and NFS coexist? I'd like to be able to play video files and audio files and slide show jpegs from my win2k machine by using the mvp remote.


Absolutely NFS and Windows shares can all coexist. I addition in the next dongle due out very soon (a recent build is on my site) you will have support for all of this plus access to the original Hauppauge server software (or compatilbe such as GBPVR and MVPServer).

To summarize mvpmc users will have the choice of playing audio/video/pictures natively from a share or via a Hauppauge-type server, accessing slimserver in an enhanced full screen mode, streaming internet audio or video natively in mp3/mpeg/ogg formats , or in more formats then many applications thanks to vlc and mplayer integration (wma, mms, aac+, real player, flv, divx, avi) all while still being able to access ReplayTV and/or MythTV. Cutting edge definitely!

Martin

This version of mvmpc is definite getting better. I just give it another try, and I was successfully set the time in sync with the RTV via the web interface. It also see two RTV devices which was not able to discover last time.

I also surprise that it able to control the GBPVR interface with the Emulation Mode but with limited functionality.

This is a great development and hopefully more control of gbpvr in the future.

Thanks.

Dan L.

I also surprise that it able to control the GBPVR interface with the Emulation Mode but with limited functionality.

This is a great development and hopefully more control of gbpvr in the future.


This version is a little bit older then I thought, so if anyone is interested I can upload a newer version. Thanks to the help of the author of GBPVR I was able to clean up a few things after this was uploaded.

The only thing (I think) that is "to do" is during a/v playback only stop and pause remote keys are complete. Was there something else you found missing?

Martin

Martin,

Yes, I like to test out the new version since I am actively using both RTV and gbpvr. I have to alternately load different dongle for different usage. If I can use both systems with one dongle that will be a great usage for the MVP.

Thanks in advanced.

Dan L.

Yes, I like to test out the new version since I am actively using both RTV and gbpvr. I have to alternately load different dongle for different usage. If I can use both systems with one dongle that will be a great usage for the MVP.
Ok, it is there now.

Martin

Thanks. I am testing it right now. Is it possible to have three version of the dongle with hardcoded time parameter for East, Central and West Coast which sync up with the government website? That way I don't have to manually access the web interface to sync up the time whenever the new dongle loads.

This is great for Windows users since GBPVR is being actively development and already have full functionallity (net radio, MP3 players, Video, etc). It can be install without the capture card and there is no need to install SlimServer or NFS directory anymore.

Please let me know when more functions (skip forward/backward, back/exit to main menu) added to a/v playback. I use MVP mostly to watch recorded video and listen to MP3. Thanks.

Dan L.

Thanks. I am testing it right now. Is it possible to have three version of the dongle with hardcoded time parameter for East, Central and West Coast which sync up with the government website? That way I don't have to manually access the web interface to sync up the time whenever the new dongle loads.
I don't see this happening, since this program is used all over the world however I am looking into ways of saving a reusable configuration that will be easier then the normal tftp method that is currently the documented long term solution
This is great for Windows users since GBPVR is being actively development and already have full functionallity (net radio, MP3 players, Video, etc). It can be install without the capture card and there is no need to install SlimServer or NFS directory anymore.
mvpmc can do net radio direct without any server which is actually my main use. And for Windows users a Windows shared drive is a lot easier to install and it is also supported from mvpmc.
Please let me know when more functions (skip forward/backward, back/exit to main menu) added to a/v playback. I use MVP mostly to watch recorded video and listen to MP3. Thanks.
This is really the wrong forum for discussing features other the replaytv, which I'm glad works now. Follow the forums on mvpmc and you will no doubt be seeing more functionality in the future. I will be happy to answer questions you may have there or through private email.

I also thank you for your feedback and for letting me know it works with replaytv. Hopefully this will increase the use for some replaytv users.

Martin

In trying to use the web interface to set up shared folders, I find that when I add user id, password, IPs, and folders and then I click on "save", ie then trys to go to h.t.t.p://192.168.0.15/mount with an error "The page cannot be found". If I then go to the mvp in /etc/mvpshares I find the data I entered in ie except for the user/password. This is actually user/user, meaning it did not save the actual password, just put the user name as the password.

Also, it appears the first part of the mvpshares script was never executed as the first "if" seems to not have been executed. i.e.,

if [ ! -d /usr/video ] ; then
mkdir /usr/video

and /usr/video was not created.

So, I then wanted to modify the mvpshares file to correct the password and see if that fixed the problem but I can't find the editor vi. Is there some other text editor that is part of busybox??

again, thanks for any help.

Harry

In trying to use the web interface to set up shared folders, I find that when I add user id, password, IPs, and folders and then I click on "save", ie then trys to go to h.t.t.p://192.168.0.15/mount with an error "The page cannot be found". If I then go to the mvp in /etc/mvpshares I find the data I entered in ie except for the user/password. This is actually user/user, meaning it did not save the actual password, just put the user name as the password.
Let's just say computers do what they are told and I've updated my site with a fix. This was actually alpha-test code that I was planning on taking it out because I figured no one would ever even try it. Now I will keep it.

Also, it appears the first part of the mvpshares script was never executed as the first "if" seems to not have been executed. i.e.,
During my testing I found that it would not always execute right after launch but powering off/on via the remote seemed to help. Worst case telnet to the box and execute the script by typing /etc/mvpshares on the command line and hitting enter.

So, I then wanted to modify the mvpshares file to correct the password and see if that fixed the problem but I can't find the editor vi. Is there some other text editor that is part of busybox??
Harry
No that was the main reason I wrote this. The file that really should be edited is the config file that gets loaded on startup. I guess if you use putty as your telnet client you could edit a file in windows and load into the clipboard. Then create the file from the telnet command line as follows:

cat > /etc/mvpshares

paste from your clipboard, and then type ctrl-d to save.

Martin

Let's just say computers do what they are told and I've updated my site with a fix.
Martin

Thanks for the info. Still moving forward.

Not to appear too dumb, but where do I find "your site"?? Is it

h**p//*mvpmc*sourceforge*net*/*idx.php?pg=downloads

And I'm assuming the "fixes" are in the form of a new bin file??

Once I get the windows version to the "consistantly working the same" point, I'll probably switch over to linux.

Thanks again,

Harry

http://mvallevand.googlepages.com/ from post #13 and #14 of this thread.

Dan L.

from post #13 and #14 of this thread.

Dan L.

You were much too fast for me. I was just about to edit my post hoping upon hope that nobody saw what I had originally posted since I also found it by looking back at the early posts in this thread. I could have been in the movie, "Dumb and Dumber".

Thanks for "showing me the light".

Harry

Thanks for the info. Still moving forward.

Not to appear too dumb, but where do I find "your site"?? Is it

h**p//*mvpmc*sourceforge*net*/*idx.php?pg=downloads

And I'm assuming the "fixes" are in the form of a new bin file??

Once I get the windows version to the "consistantly working the same" point, I'll probably switch over to linux.

Thanks again,

Harry
Actually the fixes are posted as source code on the mvpmc web site but I upload a dongle.bin now and then to my web site noted by skywaystudio. I do it more often if I'm beta testing features, and I'm not right now. This source will also be compiled into future dongle.bin starting with the next official release of mvpmc which I don't think is too far off.

You can even rename it (ie mvpmc.bin) with gbpvr so you can switch between the dongles a little bit easier.

I'm not sure what you mean about linux, since you can load basic configuration with Windows using a tftp server If there was enough demand I do have possibilites for saving configuration info permanently without needing tftp.

Martin

Well, I got the new dongle.zip from your web site and got it loaded and it fixed the previous problems. Now when I enter the shared folder data and "run" the script, the data shows up in /etc/mvpshares correctly and the folders are created in /usr/ (music/video/playlists) telling me the script is running without errors.

But, I don't see the shared folders actually being "mounted". I'm not sure if I still have a problem or not at this point.

Now I need to figure out how to actually get to the shared folders and see the jpegs and video files on the mvp menu(s) so I can select them to be played. I don't see a way to actually browse those shared folders right now. Once I figure this part out I'll be well on my way. I'm doing a lot of reading and, of course, google is my friend.

Thanks for your efforts in making this work.

Harry

Well, I got the new dongle.zip from your web site and got it loaded and it fixed the previous problems. Now when I enter the shared folder data and "run" the script, the data shows up in /etc/mvpshares correctly and the folders are created in /usr/ (music/video/playlists) telling me the script is running without errors.

But, I don't see the shared folders actually being "mounted". I'm not sure if I still have a problem or not at this point.

Now I need to figure out how to actually get to the shared folders and see the jpegs and video files on the mvp menu(s) so I can select them to be played. I don't see a way to actually browse those shared folders right now. Once I figure this part out I'll be well on my way. I'm doing a lot of reading and, of course, google is my friend.

Thanks for your efforts in making this work.

Harry
Via the web interface, once you've saved the shares you also have to hit the run button. If that doesn't work try powering the mvp off and on with the remote and trying the run again. The last resort is to just run /etc/mvpshares via telnet. There might be an error that shows up so watch for it there.

To navigate the file system you go to the filebrowser option. It defaults into /usr/playlist because thats where I store the internet radio station playlists which you can edit via the web browser. However you can change the startup folder in the config. to one you prefer, although until you don't have your mounts there won't be much you can do with the browser other than internet radio.

Thanks for your help in testing the shares. I was always curious what would happen if someone tried it.

Martin

Via the web interface, once you've saved the shares you also have to hit the run button. Martin

Well, I've discovered part of the problem. It looks like it won't let you go past the top level directory when specifying where things are. i.e.,

192.168.0.15/music works 192.168.0.15/mediamvp/music doesn't work
192.168.0.15/videos works 192.168.0.15/mediamvp/videos doesn't work, etc.

You don't see any errors using the web interface but when you execute mvpshares from telnet, then you see error messages along the lines of "invalid format" for the mount command.

The audio works fairly well now but intermittantly it freezes up and once I tried to turn the mvp off and back on and it turned off ok but then wouldn't turn back on. I had to unplug it and start from the beginning again.

Is there a simple way to "save" the web interface config files so when you do have to unplug the mvp and start over, then you don't have to reenter everything in the config page again?? Maybe after you enter the config then change a file to "read only" until the next time you really want to change the config???

Some videos are slow and jerky and sound stutters at full screen. but I'm still testing this.

Is there the possibilty to do "slide shows" of jpeg files??

thanks again,

Harry

Well, I've discovered part of the problem. It looks like it won't let you go past the top level directory when specifying where things are. i.e.
Yes, windows would have to allow the source for this to work. There is also a limitation on the client side as well. It will only make the last directory in a path, which is why I suggest the usr folder, rather then using root.

You don't see any errors using the web interface
Yes it is pretty dumb.

The audio works fairly well now but intermittantly it freezes up and once I tried to turn the mvp off and back on and it turned off ok but then wouldn't turn back on. I had to unplug it and start from the beginning again. Through emulation or through the file browser? If it is through the file browser I am really surprised. I often listen to internet radio for 7hrs plus without a hitch. And I have a really slow LAN (1MB) and slow (NSLU2) share too and if I thought there was a problem with mvpmc audio and speed I would probably be he first to know. Maybe the source file type. For streaming aac+, real player or Windows media you need extra configuration only mp3 and ogg audio work natively.

Is there a simple way to "save" the web interface config files so when you do have to unplug the mvp and start over, then you don't have to reenter everything in the config page again??
The simplest way is to use the tftp config but I am looking at alternatives. After the next mvpmc dongle is released later this week I will be updating my web site with alpha versions, but since this is really OT here I will announce it on the mvpmc forums. I will send you a private message on this.

Until then after you mount the file the best way (IMHO) to do this is (assuming mediamvp is your share) you need to do it via telnet as follows

To install your current config (you only need to do this once) on your local share copy it as follows cp is the linux copy

cp /etc/browser.config /mediamvp/browser.config

Afterward, each time you unplug or reboot the box telnet and issue this after mounting.

ls -s /mediamvp/browser.config /etc/browser.config

Changes will me written to the share so you need r/w access to update.

Then power off/on and your changes should take place

Hopefully once you choose to use mvpmc only you won't have to do this often.

Some videos are slow and jerky and sound stutters at full screen. but I'm still testing this.Again knowing if you mean emulation or filebrowser mode is important, but this is really a question for the mvpmc forum's since I am not a video guru. I have found that the first time the mvpmc power's up the networking can be a little slower and powering off and on seems to help.

Is there the possibility to do "slide shows" of jpeg files??
jpeg viewing was broken until recently. No doubt this will be in a future update. If no one else on the project does this, I will.

Martin

Through emulation or through the file browser?

File browser. I'm still testing. So far I've only been playing mp3s from another win2k pc on my network. At the same time I'm playing them I'm also using the telnet interface doing things so I could be causing some of my own problems. I'll continue testing.


The simplest way is to use the tftp config but I am looking at alternatives.

I haven't moved to that level yet. I'm still using the standard Haup software to load the dongle.bin. I'm exploring a freeware product to do tftp. Is it possible that part of my problems could be related to the Haup software still running in the background? Also, now that I think about it, Slimserver is also running. I'll start over clean and do more testing.

To install your current config (you only need to do this once) on your local share copy it as follows cp is the linux copy

Thanks for the procedure. This will help my testing a lot.


Again knowing if you mean emulation or filebrowser mode is important, but this is really a question for the mvpmc forum's since I am not a video guru.

Filebrowser again but I'll try for more info on this with the forum.

jpeg viewing was broken until recently. No doubt this will be in a future update. Martin

I'll also keep checking the forum for this fix.

thanks for the help again,

Harry

One more question.

How do your releases of dongle.bin files relate to the ones released on sourceforge?? Is the current 2.1 release on sf relate in some way to the file you release??

thanks,

Harry

what is the format for host folder in web config? I put in c:\video but I don't see it mounts in the filesystem. Thanks.

Dan L.

How do your releases of dongle.bin files relate to the ones released on sourceforge?? Is the current 2.1 release on sf relate in some way to the file you release??
Harry
Mine is a pre-release dongle, with the source code compiled near the code on the time of the source code repository (linked on main plus). It is nowhere near the .2.1 dongle which is why there is going to be a new dongle (newer than my build) soon.

Martin

what is the format for host folder in web config? I put in c:\video but I don't see it mounts in the filesystem. Thanks
That would actually be the "Share name" you gave it in windows with a leading slash. If you Shared c:\video as Video the host is /Video. I could do a better job with this to make it less confusing ie call it share name and not require the /, which I will do in the future.

Martin

Mine is a pre-release dongle, with the source code compiled near the code on the time of the source code repository (linked on main plus). It is nowhere near the .2.1 dongle which is why there is going to be a new dongle (newer than my build) soon

As a followup mvpmc 0.3.0 is now available on the mvpmc web site.

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=103474

As I have improved the Hauppauge emulation in this code, if you are using the older dongle from my site I would recommend upgrading.

There were also a ReplayTV fixes for the still using 0.2.1

Martin

Thanks for all the hard work Martin! I love it! This just keeps getting better and better.
Firmtech

Loaded 0.3.0 onto the mvp fine and got the gui menu but I cannot make shares work. It looks to me(a #1 newbie) as if the mvpshares script is actually missing from this build.

When I use the web interface and try to add shares and click on save, it just hangs there with an hourglass and nothing else happens. I looked in /etc/ for mvpshares and can't find it. Did something get left out of this build by accident or has the method of interfacing changed??

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Also, a big thanks to Martin from me for all the fine work.

Harry

When I use the web interface and try to add shares and click on save, it just hangs there with an hourglass and nothing else happens. I looked in /etc/ for mvpshares and can't find it. Did something get left out of this build by accident or has the method of interfacing changed??
This is the same share code as the last dongle and the save creates mvpshares and so it is not supposed to exist beforehand.

I just rebooted with 0.3.0 and it worked ok. I tried with both firefox and ie.

# ls -lt /etc/mvpshares
-rwxrwx--- 1 root root 30 Jun 18 00:42 /etc/mvpshares

I would explicity reload the page and try the save again. Maybe there was a caching issue with your browser.


Martin

One question:

Where can I find documentation on how to use the new features in 0.3.0?

Thanks again for a wonderful piece of FOSS software! Father's Day came a little early this year! :)

Maybe there was a caching issue with your browser. Martin

That was it. I was using Opera and evidently it doesn't always work with mvp.

Also, I tried emulation just to see if it worked now and it does. It's really, really slow using my setup, but it does work.

Thanks again,

Harry

Where can I find documentation on how to use the new features in 0.3.0?

There are a few sources, the mvpmc website , is always good starting point, and I've documented my changes as I've made them on the developer mailing list at so browsing it online could help.

http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=103474

Asking question on the mailing is where I would prefer to answer questions since I think has wider audience, although I've had more feedback here on emulation mode and web configuration, and of course the original rtv problem, the I ever received on the mailing list

There is also a wiki starting up which depending on how the community works at it this could be something valuable in the future

http://mvpmc.wikispaces.com/

My web site has a how-to that I hope someone can make a little bit easier to understand for some of the features I've added.

Glad to hear the positive feedback since I do this for fun, and generally for what I want to see, and if others benefit from it, great. I really think the mvp is a great bargain and I want to do what I can to promote it.

Martin

That was it. I was using Opera and evidently it doesn't always work with mvp.

Also, I tried emulation just to see if it worked now and it does. It's really, really slow using my setup, but it does work.
I'll look into the Opera issue.

As for the speed, my goal for this release was really to just to make it work. I'd like to tackle the speed issues in the mvpmc forums or via private messages, since I'll need some technical things what does slow mean(since I assume mpegs and mp3 play fine), what server you are using, what dongle you used for comparisoin, and aslo on indication of where things are the most different would help me to focus.

Martin.

Very, very nice update. Only thing I noticed was that the mclient IP address box in the web configuration page was greyed-out. I had to manually assign that on the mediamvp itself.

That was it. I was using Opera and evidently it doesn't always work with mvp.

Before I dig into this further, are you having Opera identify itself as MSIE by any chance.? Because of the non-standard way IE works in posting forms I had to change the why I replied if I saw that IE was the browser. Maybe Opera is reacting properly to the web page like firefox but my code sees it as being MSIE compatible and I send it like IE wants. If that is the case I need to tweak the code and also check if Opera is in the useragent string.


Martin

Very, very nice update. Only thing I noticed was that the mclient IP address box in the web configuration page was greyed-out. I had to manually assign that on the mediamvp itself.
For this release I didn't want to conflict with the way this info is stored in its own seperaate config file and memory location. The browser config and the on screen configuration options are seperate but function in parallel. I hope to unify this all if web configuration is determined to be the prefered method and the other developers agree.

Martin

Before I dig into this further, are you having Opera identify itself as MSIE by any chance.? Martin

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Yes, I have it set to id as ie.

Harry

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Yes, I have it set to id as ie.

Ok, I've reworked the mvpmc web server/configuration a bit to deal with MSIE issues more generally and added another fix which was hindering Opera as well so I think I finally got it right this time. Thanks for the feedback.

My web site has been updated.

Martin

Martin,

I went to grab the newest version from your website. After unzipping it, it shows a date of 3/25/2006. Is this the correct dongle.bin ?

Martin,

I went to grab the newest version from your website. After unzipping it, it shows a date of 3/25/2006. Is this the correct dongle.bin ?

No it sure wasn't, but it should be okay now. I uploaded and then downloaded it to confirm. I've got to clean off all the old dongle's off my hard disk!

Thanks.

Martin

If anyone is still reading this thread:

I've found that loading the mvpmc image is simple using the Hauppage software technique...but I cannot get any audio on my mpgs that I'm trying to watch. I also cannot get the mvpmc to see vlc. I don't know if the two are connected.

The IP address that it thinks vlc is on is the IP of my DHCP/router. No matter what I've tried in the browser config screen, I cannot get the Ip to reflect my windows box/vlc server, only my router.

Is there another way to reconfigure mvpmc to point to a different IP? Since I'm using the Hauppage server, I don't have a dongle.config file that I can use...and I can't figure out where in the files I can see via telnet I'd need to edit to change the "activation" line for mvpmc.

Any help on the audio issue or the vlc issue would be appreciated! Other than this glitch, it's a wonderful little device.

TIA!

Marc

If anyone is still reading this thread:
Any help on the audio issue or the vlc issue would be appreciated! Other than this glitch, it's a wonderful little device.

There are so many video modes it is difficult to diagnose. You might need to select a different audio stream by hitting the ok button if that is function is available or you might need to go into the main menu setup to configure spdif on or off. Failing that check the mpeg using a utility like gspot or mediainfo to ensure that the audio stream is mpeg or pcm.

To reinitialize command line options you have to power off via the remote after saving.

Martin

I have been powering off/on lots of times, but it's still looking like the vlc IP is set incorrectly, regardless of what I put into the webpage.

Is that setting working for other people?

If I telnet into the MediaMVP, and run 'ps', I can see the mpvmc processes (like 8 of them), and they seem to show the command line parameters used to run them...and the IP addresses listed are not what I put in the webpage, regardless of how many times I power it off and on (via remote).

Is there an equivalent to the dongle.config file somewhere on this thing that I can manually edit the parameters? I've looked but I can't seem to find it, and I'm barely functional in linux, so I'm stuck.

I'll check the mpegs I'm using. I did hear sound exactly once, and have not been able to replicate that setup since, so I think the files are ok. They will not play with sound through the emulation mode, either, which makes me wonder, though...but that is a separate story.

When I go into menu mode while it's playing, the audio stream is listed as mpeg (as well as the video stream). Sound is stereo (simple L + R into TV) but I can mess with that setting to see if that makes the difference.

Nonetheless, if I try a divx file (known good d/l sample file) it is clearly trying to access vlc on the wrong IP. The vlc telnet session never sees a request, and the connect.log shows the wrong IP. Hence my question about a .config file somewhere.

Thanks!

Marc

I have been powering off/on lots of times, but it's still looking like the vlc IP is set incorrectly, regardless of what I put into the webpage.

Is that setting working for other people?

If I telnet into the MediaMVP, and run 'ps', I can see the mpvmc processes (like 8 of them), and they seem to show the command line parameters used to run them...and the IP addresses listed are not what I put in the webpage, regardless of how many times I power it off and on (via remote).

Is there an equivalent to the dongle.config file somewhere on this thing that I can manually edit the parameters? I've looked but I can't seem to find it, and I'm barely functional in linux, so I'm stuck.

I'll check the mpegs I'm using. I did hear sound exactly once, and have not been able to replicate that setup since, so I think the files are ok. They will not play with sound through the emulation mode, either, which makes me wonder, though...but that is a separate story.

When I go into menu mode while it's playing, the audio stream is listed as mpeg (as well as the video stream). Sound is stereo (simple L + R into TV) but I can mess with that setting to see if that makes the difference.

Nonetheless, if I try a divx file (known good d/l sample file) it is clearly trying to access vlc on the wrong IP. The vlc telnet session never sees a request, and the connect.log shows the wrong IP. Hence my question about a .config file somewhere.

Thanks!

Marc

Note that I edited this because I was able to duplicate the vlc problem with the latest build. I submitted a fix which will be included in the nightly build this evening.

A couple of small points:

-for the processes you should see a lot of Z processes too if you've been powering off. Many processes are normal since mvpmc is multi-threaded.

- For the audio problem I'd do the hard reboot from the main menu to get a new dongle rather then just power off.

Martin

Tried the newest build, no change. No matter what I try to do, I am unable to get the web interface to change the IP address of the VLC server.

I am also unable to get mpgs to play with sound, but that's likely another matter entirely. I got them working exactly once, so I know it's possible...but I'll need to delve further to figure that out.

But, back to vlc...is there a magic/hidden config file somewhere I can telnet into and change the command lines? Or, is this another glitch (although you seem to have fixed it for your system...soo?)

Let me say, despite the vlc malfunctions on my system, that I am deeply appreciative for the work you and anyone else have done on this project. It's wonderful!

Marc

Tried the newest build, no change. No matter what I try to do, I am unable to get the web interface to change the IP address of the VLC server.

I am also unable to get mpgs to play with sound, but that's likely another matter entirely. I got them working exactly once, so I know it's possible...but I'll need to delve further to figure that out.

But, back to vlc...is there a magic/hidden config file somewhere I can telnet into and change the command lines? Or, is this another glitch (although you seem to have fixed it for your system...soo?)

Let me say, despite the vlc malfunctions on my system, that I am deeply appreciative for the work you and anyone else have done on this project. It's wonderful!

Marc

Which release did you try? I am not talking about .31, I am talking about the nightly on http://www.mvpmc.org/builds/.

dongle.bin.mvpmc-20061030 or higher.

Yes there is a "magic" way of doing this, but I want to confirm that this build is still failing for you.

Martin

That's the one I used, and it didn't work.

Soooo...I set up a DHCP/TFTP servers, and did it myself, with a dongle.bin.config file. Now it works fine :P

However, I still can't get reliable sound. If I play the mpg (converted from a flv file via ffmpeg), right off the bat I get no sound.

If I play a divx avi file, vlc kicks in (now, correctly) and plays the sound.

If I go back and play the mpg file, I hear sound...but it's too fast, like a chipmunk, and it doesn't sync with the video, since it's too fast.

I am more than happy to reset my mvpmc with the Hauppage method to test if you want...putting up the dhcp/tftp servers was easier than I had originally anticipated, and it would be not too much work for me to switch back. But, like I said, I tried that build, and ended up with no difference in functional outcome from the previous builds--no way to configure vlc from the webpage.

That all being said, I would prefer the Hauppage method, as it means I can upload with fewer steps, but either way will work for me, now :) (Barring this, I'd be interested in knowing the "magic" way, just in case I can't get this setup working again...it's happened before...)

If you have any suggestions as to the mpg sound weirdness, I'd love to hear them. I have tried playing the files through the direct access route as well as through a playlist--same results either way.

Thanks again.

Marc

That's the one I used, and it didn't work.

However, I still can't get reliable sound. If I play the mpg (converted from a flv file via ffmpeg), right off the bat I get no sound.


Marc, excuse the lengthy reply I wanted to get in as much as possible (it might be better on the mvpmc user mailing list) but here is a list of things you can check.

- If your source mpeg's have AC3 audio they won't work very well with mvpmc
and could appear to chirp.

- If your files have multiple audio streams don't select AC3 when you hit the menu key to select the audio stream.

Since you seem to have vlc working try the following

- don't convert the flv with ffmeg, rename it to .flv or .avi and mvpmc
should pass it to vlc for on-the-fly transcoding.
- if you rename the mpg file to .avi, mvpmc will also pass the file to
vlc which will give a working mpeg file back if it can.
- try my alpha dongle, it supports a few more audio streams. ( I
haven't uploaded a version wth vlc ip patch though).

Regarding the vlc ip issue.

- Are you getting the confirmation message back when you save the IP?
- What browser are you using? I haven't tested IE 7 yet.
- Ensure that you set the VideoLan IP and not the VNC IP.

The magic is follows (from telnet).

You can kill the runing mvpmc to stop it from running either by using
the instance number of the first mvpmc (from the ps command).

kill 80

You could try this by name

killall mvpmc

then still from telnet, restart mvpmc with the command line options
that you want, or if you've saved a configuration via the browser just
type mvpmc.

Note that some good telnet clients like putty do a clean shutdown and
you will lose this new mvpmc session if you don't use task manager to
kill telnet. You should have no problems with the microsoft telnet.

Hope this helps.

Martin

Thanks!

Tried renaming the original file back to flv, and to avi. Nothing. No video or audio at all.

Connect.log:
Connecting to /avimovies/saget.flv
Password: admin
new mvpmc broadcast enabled
> setup mvpmc input /avimovies/saget.flv
> setup mvpmc output #transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=2048,scale=1,acodec=mpga,ab=192,ch annels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=ts,dst=:5212}}
> setup mvpmc option sout-http-mime=video/mpeg
> control mvpmc play
Using VLC on http://192.168.11.2:5212
HTTP/1.0 200 OK
Content-type: video/mpeg
Cache-Control: no-cache

Password: admin
del mvpmc
>

So that didn't work so well :(

Thanks for the 'magic'...that helps a lot :)

I'm going to keep playing around with this...it's a bit frustrating that I can't get audio, but the file itself may have problems. That being said, it plays fine on my PC, and I did ONCE get it playing correctly on the mvpmc...which made me think it was a configuration issue and not a file defect.

Thanks again!

Marc

Addendum: I renamed the first converted mpg to avi, played with the vlc settings a bit, and it's MUCH better. Since the original flv doesn't seem to want to play, at all, I'm going to mess with the single conversion, then let vlc serve that. Tweaks to the conversion + vlc startup should help, I'd think...

(I won't turn down help on that front, but thank you for all the help getting this far!)

This thread is continued here:

It is now easy to run mvpmc on MediaMVP from Windows. Part II
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=773490